BECOMING the new leader of the SNP does not mean John Swinney will automatically become Scotland’s next first minister.
For that to happen the former deputy first minister has to face a vote in the Scottish Parliament, where he will need to win the support of MSPs.
It is likely other party leaders will put themselves forward for the ballot, though it is in reality unlikely that they would be successful in this.
However for Swinney to win the vote in Holyrood, which could take place as early as Wednesday, he will need some MSPs from opposition parties to either back him in the vote, or at least abstain.
That is because without the powersharing deal with the Scottish Greens, which was ripped up by Humza Yousaf, the SNP is short of an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament.
READ MORE: John Swinney: I know what it takes to lead minority government and boost independence
The support of Scottish Greens therefore could still be crucial going forward, in this vote and in others to come at Holyrood.
Assuming he wins the vote, Swinney will then become the Scottish Parliament’s nominated candidate to be the country’s seventh first minister.
After that he would be formally appointed via a royal warrant, a legal document that is authorised by the King.
Following that he would officially be sworn into the post in a ceremony at the Court of Session in Edinburgh by the Lord President, Scotland’s most senior judge.
That could happen on Thursday morning with Swinney then potentially going on to take First Minister’s Questions for the first time in the new role at noon the same day.
He will also have to appoint his his ministerial team of cabinet secretaries and junior ministers, with much attention on what position will go to Kate Forbes (below).
The former Holyrood finance secretary had been tipped as a possible challenger to Swinney for the SNP leadership, but announced on Thursday she would not stand and would instead back the former deputy first minister in his bid for the top job.
Swinney, in announcing his candidacy sought to praise Forbes, who last year ran Yousaf a close second in the contest to succeed Nicola Sturgeon, and giving her a top post in his cabinet team would be seen as a move towards restoring unity within the different factions of the SNP.
Forbes has been out of the Scottish cabinet since then, but could return to a senior post under Swinney.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel